Calder High School is a popular comprehensive school, with specialist technology status for boys and girls aged 11 to 19 years. It is large: there are nearly 1300 students on roll, including 240 in the sixth form, many of whom come from other local schools. The school is situated in Mytholmroyd, between Hebden Bridge and Halifax. Much of the area it serves is socially and economically advantaged and there is a tradition of higher education. About 9% of the students are entitled to free school meals, which is below average. The school community is predominantly White British: the largest minority ethnic group is Pakistani. Of those who have home languages other than English, none are in the early stages of learning English. About 15% of the students have been identified as having learning difficulties and/or disabilities, which is average. Few students join or leave the school at times other than in Year 7 and the sixth form.